Game table



June 4, 1935. 1 K MlTCHELL 2,003,834

GAME TABLE Filed may 18, 1933 2 sheets-sheet 1 June 4, 1935. J. K. MITCHELL GAME TABLE F'i'led May 18, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 n "":HIHIIIIHHHfmkmumm w John, edrsley/i//wll Patented June 4, 1935 UNITED STATES GAME TABLE John Kearsley Mitchell, Villanova, Pa.

Application May 18, 1933, Serial No. 671,609

sclaims. (01.311-106) The present invention relates togame tables. The principal object of the inventionis to produce a table, preferably of the folding type, which is so constructed that the cover can readily be changed. This will permit the cover tobe sup- CAD plied by the purchaser matching other furnishings in the room, or washable covers may be used that are changed frequently. Also the covers can be so easily changedthattherevmay be supplied covers with various layouts included on them; for example, the covers can `be supplied marked with the layout of a checkerboard or' with correct layouts for a game such as backgammon. In addition to being so constructed that the cover is readily replaceable, the table of my invention may be provided with a drawer for game supplies, whichwill automatically be locked shut when' the table is folded up, and may also be provided with a large compartment for holding extra covers or other equipment which is accessible by raising one edge of the hinged top.

I have found that if one wishes to make a table of the type referred to with a readily removable cover, the best results 'can be obtained if there .is supplied a substantially flat central area or playing surface over which the cover is to be spread, and anioutside frame which is hinged relative to this central fiat surface insucha way that when the outer frame is raised" and then lowered, 'it will take a proper and'predetermined position relative to the central surfacel without special guidance by the operator. With this construction, if a cloth or other covering `material is spread over the central surface 'and ythen the outer frame is brought down, the outer frame will tend progressively tostretch the cloth over ,the central surface. However, to -insure 'this stretching action with cloths of various thicknesses, and to insure thepcloth'being held in stretched positionv some method of holding the edge of the cloth is necessary. This may be accomplished by any mechanical means tending to hold the edge of the cloth around the central'surface and below and spaced away from it, so that r' when the frame is brought down the cloth will be deflected around the edges of the central surface and tightened. I have found, however, that a simpler method of holding the edge of the covering cloth is to supply resilient and gripping 0 means that are positioned between the outer edge the gripping means located' on the movable frame. In such case, as the frame is swung down, the cloth will be progressively engaged by theL ygripping means and tensioned against the resilient means, and thereby will be progressively stretched through'fthe downward movement of the outer frame. f

The feature referred to as well as various structural improvements'embodied ina table of my invention can'readily be understood .by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig; 1 is a perspective view of a form of table embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view with apart broken away; Fig. 3 is a' section on line r`3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a section on line 4 4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a section similar to Fig. '4 showing the stretching frame inrraised position; yFig..6 is a detail similar to Fig. 4 but showing theleg in retracted position and witha modified construction, and Fig. '7 is a detail of the hinge employed. As shown in Fig. l, this table has acentral playing surface' Il) surrounded vby a' frame :I2 which may be of wood or any other desired ma terial. Depending below the frame I2 is a rela-` tively deep apron I4, its depth being somewhat' greater than the maximum thickness of 'a' leg I6. A drawer I8 is provided in one side. g' I In the illustrative example here showniisee Fig. 2) the four members making up the apron I4 are connected at the corners in anyfcustomf ary fashion and enclose a square frame 20 which ordinarily will be made of wood. I have found that it is economical to make this frame 2D out of a single piece of plywood with the center cut or stamped out. Extending down below member 20 are four wall members'22 engaging a bottom plate 24.V As the bottom Y plate 24 is slightly smaller than the opening in frame 20, the material cut out of the frame can be used to form such bottom plate. As shown in Fig. 3 wall members 22 are preferably made so that they will slide down into the opening in frame 2,0"but'will not drop through owing to the enlargement at the top.

A central surface member A26 is supported by four frame members 28 which normally rest upon the frame 20. However, the member 2B and frame members 28 are so constructed that they can be lifted up from ofi the compartment formed by wall members 22 and bottom member ,24; It is important that when the central surface member 26 is resting with frame members 28 on frame 20, it shall assumea definite predetermined position. This can be assured by pins as indicated at 30 passing through appropriate openings in frame 20, but as it is somewhat difficult to position such pins in their holes, I have foundit advisable to hinge the central surface member 25 to one of the apron members I4 as indicated in Fig. 4. For this purpose a hinge as shown in Fig. 'I is advantageous. With such hinge the number of pins 30 that need be employedcan be greatly reduced, or inrsome circumstances they may be entirely eliminated. f

The frame I2 is likewise pivoted to one of the same apron members I4., and as it will be desirable to lift frame I2 with central surface 26, these two are hinged coaxially by the use of a hinge such as shown in Fig. 7.

The frame I2 consists of four memberse con-u nected at the corners in any usual fashion andmisV here shown as having its inner face grooved'to receive a cushionv member 32; madeofjsomellly terial such as rubber which will maintain ten-I sion between the inner face of frame I! and the outer face of the frame members 23. With this construction. it is. obvious that if the frame I2 is raised.; with the central Surface member 26 left in lowered position as shown in Fia. 5, and a cover of cloth or other material, as indicated at C., is spread over the central surface member, the rubber strip 32 will first squeeze the cover C at the hinge edge. and. then as the frame is lowered, the cover will be progressively stretched along lines parallel4 with the hinge until the front edge ofthe frame (that is, the edge opposite the hinge end) cornes into Contact, and this will re-v stllt` in a final tensioning against the hinge'edge.

As a. result. .the cover C will be stretched and held' smoothly covering the surface 26.

As the cover shouldin no case befbclow the frame I2 it is ad: visable that the surface 26 be slightly higher than the frame I2, but it is suiiicient if these are at the same height. .Y

In the casey described, the rubber strip 3 serves both as a llocking? and tensioning member. In Fis. 6 a.l modincation is shown in which the outer face of frame members 28 are padded with resilient material such as felt 36 and frame member IZ is formed with an integral tongue 33. In this case the felt 3E serves as the resilientl member and the tongue 33 as the locking or grippingl member. The action will be substantially similar to that described. v

Ordinarily the tension of. the locking and com.- pression or resilient, members will be. Sufficient to hold frame I 2 united withgcentral playing sur? face 28. so that if frame I2 is raisedthe central playing surface will also be raised and give ready access to the internal compartment. Qi course. any desired form of bolt or lock may be supplied to hold these members inposition after theyv are assembled as indicated. t

The legs I6 are intended to be pivoted as is customary With tables of this general type and they may be held folded or in extended position by any form of mechanism such as the. clamp 38 which cooperates with a segment 4I), Inasmuch as the compartment formed by the bottom meme ber 24 and wall members 22 is of Smaller size than the space defined by the apron members I4, there is space for the legs to fold right up against frame 20.

In come cases it may be desirable. to provide a drawer in addition to the. compartment already described. Such a drawer may, for example. be of a. size to hold two packs of cards and score sheet and pencil. In order that the drawer shall not interfere with the folding of the legs, this is con.- structed as clearly shown iriFig. 5 with a false front 42 which preferably is of the same nish as the apron member I4 and is provided with some pull device such as the ring 44. A connecting vplate 46, preferably of metal, joins the false front 42 with the true front 48. The balance of the drawer is of usual construction and does not need further description. In the example here shown the drawer is shown as supported by the bottom member 24 but it is obvious that any other usual form of support may be supplied. Connected with the under `lace of plate there may be provided a spring clip 50. As shown in Fig. 6 when the legs I6 are closed, one of these legs will clamp up against the clip 50, coming between false front and true front 48 of the drawer, so that the drawer is held in closed position and cannot accidentally open until the legs are unfolded.

'A table embodying the features described can `be madevat/ reasonable cost and I have found that thev cover can be changed very readily and that covers of varying thicknesses can be employed on the samestructure. and all will. be held smoothly stretched over the plas/'ine4 sur-:face MiiA f It is understood that. the example-elven is only intendedy by Wayy of illustration and that. the same may be modified manrparticulars with` out departing from the spirit ef my invention-A u What IF claim is:

l.. A table top ci thetypc described comprising a framework. e flat cent-ral member hinged to said irameworlr, and an outer frame hinged di: rectly to the rrameewerlc: and adapted when lowered to dt. closelyaraund the central member so as to stretch and hold in place. a. fabric. cover spread cverthe central member. i

2. A structure as. specified in claim l, in which said central. .member and said cuter trame are hinged about a common axis and will remain substantially-'in a common plane when both are raised.. 1 Y c v 3. A table top of the type described comprising a frame-work. a .flat central member hinged to Said framework; an outside frame, member sur--A rounding said central member and adapted to releasably hold a :abrio cover stretched over said central member, said frame member being hinged directly to paid frantoi-workr and releasable means for connecting said outside frame and central member whereby said frame member can, at will, be raised alone or caused to lift said central member when it is raised.

4. A structure. as specified in claim 3 which further includes a compartment carried by said frame-work which is covered and substantially enclosed when said central member ls in lowered position 'but which will be exposed when said outsidetra'me and central member are lifted togather.

5. A structure as speciiied in claim 3, in which said central member and said outside frame are hinged about a common axis and will remain substantially in a common plane when both are raised.

6. In a table of the type described, the cornbination of a flat central member hinged to a support and adapted to carry a flexible cover, a rigid frame member hinged to said support and adapted to rfit around said central member and resilient means between such members adapted to be secured to atleast one. of said members and adapted to engage and uniformly Stretch said cover during movement of said frame member into position about said central. member and to hold saidcover stretched over the central meml further includes gripping means between such members as well as resilient means.

8. A structure as specified in claim 6, in which said resilient means is carried by one of said members and a gripping means is carried by the other of said members.

9. A table of the type described comprising a frame-work to which legs are connected, a at central member hinged to said framework by an offset hinge, an outside frame member surrounding said central member and movable relative to said central member, said hinge being adapted to hold said frame member spaced away from that portion of said frame-work adjacent to said central member when a. cloth is spread over said central member and held stretched by said frame member to provide space for the edges of said cloth.

JOHN KEARSLEY MITCHELL. 

